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Niger: Appeals court rules on Hama Amadou's case

Niger

An appeals court in Niger has said the trial of jailed opposition leader, Hama Amadou, cannot be a criminal one without prior judgement by a civil court.

This confirms an earlier decision by a lower court a few months ago.

Hama Amadou’s lawyers say this is a major victory for the opposition leader who is currently undergoing medical treatment in France.

Amadou was evacuated to Paris after his health reportedly deteriorated while in jail in Niger.

Hama Amadou evacuated to France , according to the Government of #Niger https://t.co/ram782VzNs

— Africa Center (@AfricaACSS) March 16, 2016

He was jailed in November last year on child trafficking charges – a charge he has repeatedly denied.

Twenty other people including a former minister, bankers, business men, army officers and their wives are involved in the case.

The decision by the appeals court comes shortly after President Mahamadou Issoufou was re-elected in a runoff boycotted by the opposition.

President Issoufou has proposed the creation of a national unity government with the opposition which boycotted the vote.

“There is not just security challenge, there are other challenges including economic and social development. All these challenges need a sacred union,” Issoufou said.

AFP

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